History

In 2008, we designed our treatment center with a pallet of earth colors (blues, browns and greens) blended with bright hues to create an uplifting environment of calmness, growth and healing for children. The Management Team chose the New Mexico sky as the theme and named the three children’s units after sky elements using Spanish names: Estrella (Star), Luna (Moon) and Sol (Sun). We remain committed to our goal of providing a structured, safe, ‘home away from home’ for your child.

We built three wings in our residential treatment center: one for boys 5-12 years of age; one for adolescent boys 13 through 17 years; and one for girls ages 5 through 17 years. We strove to create a safe, therapeutic environment for your child that included special lighting, security cameras in public areas, and intensive clinical, behavioral, medical and psychiatric treatment. Bernalillo Academy was awarded accreditation by The Joint Commission (TJC) and attained licensure and certification by the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families (CYFD).

Our doors first officially opened in April 2009 as a sub-acute residential treatment center to serve youth between the ages of 5 and 17 years who had not achieved success in less restrictive clinical and community settings and for children that demonstrated a need for a highly structured environment with 24 hour.

In 2011, under new ownership of the national, highly accredited, privately owned company: Sequel Youth and Family Services, a strong new management team was developed. Experienced, passionate and fresh leadership brought new ideas and innovative treatment approaches enhancing the quality of care at Bernalillo Academy. With this infusion of support and innovative ideas, Bernalillo Academy achieved a 98% rating on the New Mexico High Volume Quality of Services Audit in 2013. We remain committed to the highest level of care for children and families at Bernalillo Academy.

Bernalillo Academy now serves children ages 4-19 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays, Neurobehavioral Challenges and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Intensive Psychiatric treatment and round the clock nursing care provide a high level of psychiatric and medical care for children in our 40 bed, trauma informed residential treatment center. Our Licensed Dietician designs all menus and meal plans for all children and all menus are "Heart Healthy". Equine Therapy and Pet Therapy were added as therapuetic opportunities for children in treatment at Bernalillo Academy and a Certified ASL (American SIgn Language) instructor is available for children that can benefit from this form of communication.

We are passionate about what we do and delight in providing excellent programs that make permanent, positive changes in the lives of the children and families we serve.

Our mission at Bernalillo Academy is to empower families and their children through comprehensive, specialized, individualized treatment in a homelike residential setting effecting improvement of each child’s quality of life.